CAIS
The Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies
[ Home ]
[ About CAIS ]
[ Articles ]
[ Daily News ]
[ News Archive ]
[ Announcements ]
[ CAIS Seminars ]
[ Image Library ]
[ Copyright ]
[ Disclaimer ]
[ Submission ]
[ Search ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Links ]
|
CAIS ARCHAEOLOGICAL & CULTURAL NEWS OF IRANIAN WORLD© |
|
Discovery of a Unique Sasanian Cylindrical Seal with Winged Horse Design in Dezful
|
|
29 May 2006 |
LONDON, (CAIS) -- Excavations at Sanjar Mound in Dezful, Khuzestan province, have led to the discovery of a cylindrical seal bearing the design of a winged horse.
According to Persian service of CHN, such designs had also been discovered in
other historical sites earlier but none of them had a lion’s head or goat and bull
hoofs. This feature has surprised archaeologists involved in the excavations.
Confirming the news, a member of the excavation team, Mostafa Abdollahi said
that in the first round of excavations in Sanjar Mound, a stone seal dating back
to the Sasanian dynastic era (224-652 CE) was unearthed.
Horse was held in special sanctity and importance during the Sasanian dynasty,
he noted.
He further stated that the winged horse found in the site has round feet like
those of a bull or goat and a head like that of a lion.
“We have come across winged horses in earlier rounds of excavations but none
of them had an appearance like that of a horse and hoofs similar to those of a bull,“
he noted.
Many Sasanian seals have so far been discovered but the current findings were
unique, he concluded
Sanjar historical Tepe is located in the city of Dezful in Khuzestan province,
south of Iran, and belongs to the Elamite period (2700-539 BCE). The first
season of archaeological excavations in this historical site led to discovery of
the location of Zahari, the Elamite city. “This city was located between the
cities of Susa and Avan. Considering the archaeological evidence found in the
region, we believe that this city must have existed near the Sanjar Tepe,”
added Abdolahi.
|
|
|
"History is the Light on the Path to Future" |
|
Encyclopaedia Iranica
The British Institute of Persian Studies "Persepolis Reconstructed"
The British Museum
The Royal Asiatic Society
|
